Why Our Industrial Age Schools are Failing Our Information Age Kids
Educator, Researcher Describes 4 Ways to Reboot

In spite of the billions of dollars spent on educational reform since "A Nation at Risk" was published in 1987, more than half of America's high school seniors are not proficient in reading, and 75 percent can't do math, according to the recently released National Assessment of Educational Progress.

"Clearly, the current approaches to educational reform are failing," says notes educational researcher and consultant Charles M. Reigeluth, author of "Reinventing Schools: It's Time to Break the Mold" (www.reigeluth.net). "The problem is that major aspects of our educational system were devised to meet the societal needs of a bygone era."

"We need to change the paradigm - we need to move from Industrial Age 'factory model schools' to accommodate and reflect Information Age needs and realities."

The Industrial Age in the United States, roughly 1830 to 1960, was shaped by machinery and mass production. Many jobs moved from farms to factories, which required workers - and therefore students - who would follow instructions and endure repetitive, boring tasks, he says.

"We did not need to educate many people to high levels, so Industrial Age schools sorted students, promoting the few needed for managerial and professional work, and flunking out the many needed for the assembly lines," says Reigeluth, a former high school teacher and Indiana University professor.

"Today, knowledge work is more common than manual labor, and our systems are far more complex. All adults need a higher degree of knowledge just to function in society, so we can no longer afford a system that is designed to leave many children behind."

Here are four Industrial Age educational artifacts, according to Reigeluth, and how to update them for the Information Age:

•  Time-based student progress: Currently students in a class move on together to the next topic according to the calendar, regardless of whether they have learned the current material.  Slower students accumulate learning gaps that make it more difficult for them to master related material in the future, virtually condemning them to flunk out. The system is designed to leave many children behind.

A paradigm designed to leave no child behind would allow each student to move on as soon as he or she has learned the current material, and no sooner.  This requires "personalized learning'' and "learner-centered instruction" that is both high-tech and high-touch.

•  Standardized and other broad tests: Rather than evaluating a student based on how much he or she has learned in a certain amount of time, such as a 9-week period, each student should be evaluated to determine when the material has been learned, so we know when the student is ready to move on. This is called "criterion-referenced assessment," a different paradigm from "norm-referenced assessment."

"A big test with 20 different topics, as we use now, shows only how much a student knows compared to other students," Reigeluth says. "In the Information Age paradigm, all students are expected to finish learning whatever they undertake to learn. Like a Boy Scout working on a badge, each student continues to work until the material is mastered."

Assessments, then, are incremental and cover a single competency, or a small set of competencies. They certify mastery while also helping guide learning by showing students what they need to continue working on.

•  The traditional grading system : The traditional grading system indicates how well a student performed compared to the other students in a class - a tool that is only effective in sorting students. It's not an effective way of guiding and ensuring individual student learning, and it tells you little about what the student has learned.

"Rather than achievement reflected as grades on a report card, it would be reflected as lists of skills and concepts that the student has mastered," Reigeluth says.

•  Locking students into grades: Grade levels are incompatible with the Information Age model because students learn at different rates and become ready to move on to different material at different times. Grade levels are a key feature of the time-based, sorting-focused paradigm that served us well during the Industrial Age, but are detrimental to meeting Information Age educational needs.

Instead, group students into similar developmental levels, which typically span three to four years.

"Grouping developmentally, rather than based on age or rigid levels of content learning, accounts for the different rates at which children develop socially and emotionally," Reigeluth says. "Children can remain in their social-emotional peer group while working on projects typically tackled by students of a higher or lower age."

About Charles M. Reigeluth

Charles M. Reigeluth is a distinguished educational researcher who focuses on paradigm change in education. He has a B.A. in economics from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. in instructional psychology from Brigham Young University. He was a professor at the Instructional Systems Technology Department at Indiana University, and is a former chairman of the department. His new book, "Reinventing Schools," (www.reigeluth.net), advocates and chronicles a national paradigm change in K-12 education. He offers presentations and consulting on this topic.

June 29, 2014 - January 25, 2015

Since 1855 when the first railroad line was constructed in Muscatine, the City has laid claim to over 35 named railroads. Some helped the City prosper while others were merely proposed or were new names adopted by active railroads as they grew or came out of bankruptcy. The exhibition, "Railroads of Muscatine County", includes artifacts, photographs, and artwork to explore the histories of the local railroads. Among the railroads features in the exhibition are the Rock Island Lines, the Muscatine City Railway Company, and the Muscatine & Iowa City Railway, which did not survive its first year from incorporation.

"Railroads of Muscatine County" contains interesting facts such as the details that earned the Muscatine, Burlington & Southern Railroad Company the nickname, "The Maimed, Burned & Scalded Railway". The exhibition features engaging components for the young and the 'young at heart' including a toy train table, a step-on caboose, and working "O and S Gauge" model railroads.

The 1850s brought some of the first railroad milestones in the Midwest. The first land grant railroad in the United States was completed with the arrival of the Illinois Central in the area of East Dubuque, Illinois. The first railroad bridge to span the Mississippi River connected Rock Island, Illinois and Davenport, Iowa, and was completed in 1856. President Abraham Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act in 1862 to authorize construction of the first transcontinental railroad.

Leaders throughout Iowa recognized that the railroad would be an important tool in transporting goods, raw materials and passengers into and out of their communities. Towns competed with each other to attract railroad lines. Considerable capital and years of planning and constructing were required to launch a new railway line. Mississippi River towns like Muscatine relied on the river for the transportation of goods, but the railway system greatly expanded the town's ability to quickly reach new markets, especially those to the west.

The supply of fresh produce from the Muscatine Island was a key factor in launching the Muscatine North & South Railroad. There was a constant shortage of railcars to haul produce by the Rock Island System and as a result, produce rotted while waiting for shipment. The Muscatine North & South Railroad incorporated on February 15, 1893 with the first train running on January 20, 1899.

The Muscatine North & South Railroad, like other railroads in the area, faced receivership (corporate bankruptcy), multiple reorganizations, buyouts and breakups of the railway line. Rail lines were marginally profitable, and as better roads and more affordable automobiles were introduced, many rail lines were scrapped. Even the longest-lived lines in Muscatine, such as the Rock Island Lines, underwent consolidations, bankruptcy and buyouts. The Muscatine & Iowa City Railway was the shortest-lived interurban in the State of Iowa, running for only six months in 1916, while other lines were started and abandoned unfinished.

Since 1855 when the first railroad line was constructed in Muscatine, the City has laid claim to over 35 named railroads. Some helped the City prosper while others were merely proposed or were name changes employed by active railroads as they grew or came out of bankruptcy. In the early 1900s, Muscatine had four active railroads, two inter-urbans and a city trolley system.

"Railroads of Muscatine County" opened at the Annual Ice Cream Social on Sunday, June 29^th with activities from 1 to 5 p.m. The exhibition will run through January 25, 2015.

 

EVENT DETAILS:

Activity: Opening of Exhibition, "Railroads of Muscatine"

When: Sunday, June 29

Time: 1:00 - 5:00 PM (During the Annual Ice Cream Social)

Where: Muscatine Art Center

Admission to this event is FREE.

 

Activity: "Muscatine Railroad History" Talk and Guided Tour will Bill Lindsay

When: Sunday, July 20^th and Sunday, August 17

Time: 2:00 - 3:00 PM

Where: Muscatine Art Center

Admission to this event is FREE.

Description: Join local railroad enthusiast, Bill Lindsay, for a talk and guided-tour of the exhibition, "Railroads of Muscatine County". Bill will share his knowledge of the seven main lines which serviced Muscatine such as the Rock Island Line; Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern; Muscatine North & South; and the Muscatine City Railway. This program is FREE.

 

Activity: "Grass Between the Rails" by Denny Rehder

When: Thursday, September 4th

Time: 5:30 PM

Where: Muscatine Art Center

Admission to this event is FREE. This program is sponsored by Humanities Iowa.

Description: "Grass Between the Rails" celebrates Iowa's railroad heritage with a unique blend of stories and original folk songs about the development of railroads in Iowa. The subjects cover events of national importance such as the race across Iowa to connect with the transcontinental railroad to the West, and local history, including the poor service offered by the "Slow Norwegian." Other topics include the somber "Worst Wreck Ever," a farm boy's remembrance of "The One Elephant Circus," and the rollicking "Doodlebug."

 

Denny Rehder, is a local historian. His avocation for nearly fifty years has been music. Now that musical ability is combined with another avocation - Iowa railroad history - to offer a program on this overlooked part of Iowa's past. Rehder has been involved as author, editor, publisher, photographer or researcher in the publication of seven books on subjects from Iowa history. He is a native of Gladbrook who grew up watching the trains of the Chicago Great Western mainline.

The Muscatine Art Center is open to the public Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursday from 10 AM to 7 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 PM Admission is FREE.

Last week, Bruce Braley took his Protecting Social Security and Medicare Tour to eight cities across Iowa to speak with voters about the clear choice in the US Senate race on retirement security. On one hand, Bruce Braley is fighting for working families to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare. On the other hand, Sen. Joni Ernst supports privatizing Social Security, ending guaranteed benefits and putting Iowans retirement in the hands of the Wall Street billionaires supporting her campaign. Read all about it below:


Iowa Public Television
Reporters' Roundtable
July 3, 2014
Reporters Jennifer Jacobs, O. Kay Henderson, James Lynch, and Kathie Obradovich discuss the Senate race, highlighting the important role Social Security has come to play in the race.

Full video: http://www.iptv.org/iowapress/episode.cfm/4142/video


Sioux City Journal
Sioux City Stop: Braley Continues Social Security Defense
July 3, 2014
"It's a promise we made to people that if you work hard and invest your hard-earned money into these programs, they're going to be there for you when you need them," said Braley, a Democrat, during a meeting with local seniors at UFCW Local 222 in Sioux City. The topic has become a major campaign issue between Braley and Ernst, who are seeking the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democrat Tom Harkin.

Full article: http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/sioux-city-stop-braley-continues-social-security-defense/article_15c30639-2c12-551a-ae68-9e35c82a181a.html


Omaha World-Herald
Bruce Braley Stops in Council Bluffs, Advocates Minimum Wage Increase
July 3, 3014
Braley also said he is against proposals to privatize Social Security, which he said would put benefits at risk during a recession.  Senior citizens, many of whom have lived through several economic downturns, "have seen why this safety net is so important," Braley said.

Braley's stop in the Bluffs was the last of nine round tables he held recently across the state to discuss the future of Social Security and Medicare.

Full article: http://www.omaha.com/news/iowa/bruce-braley-stops-in-council-bluffs-advocates-minimum-wage-increase/article_61587db1-a385-5d0c-924c-9fa96688265a.html


Telegraph Herald
Braley, Ernst Air Differences on Social Security
July 3, 2014
Bruce Braley, northeast Iowa's U.S. representative and the Democratic candidate for the state's open U.S. Senate seat, has campaigned on Social Security recently, discussing the program with residents in 11 cities. Braley advocates for preserving Social Security, making only minor adjustments.

Full article: http://www.thonline.com/news/tri-state/article_15feec46-6f3c-5f8c-aab4-1e16cc2dc4fe.html


Mason City Globe-Gazette
Braley Cites Differences with Ernst
July 2, 2014
Braley said privatizing Social Security would eliminate one of the three legs of the retirement stool -- Social Security, pension and savings. He said scrapping Social Security and setting up individual investment accounts relies too heavily on the stock market.

Full article: http://globegazette.com/news/local/braley-cites-differences-with-ernst-in-talk-with-seniors/article_e43e77c2-ea88-5fa7-8822-7e118b11709c.html


Ottumwa Courier
Braley: 'Stark Choice' in Senate Election
July 2, 2014
Braley said Iowa voters have "a stark choice," in the election. He cast himself as someone capable of defending Social Security and Medicare, while working with Republicans when the two parties have common goals.

"We want someone who can work across the aisles and solve the problems we have," he said. "I have a proven record of doing that."

Full article: http://www.ottumwacourier.com/local/x1927835986/Braley-stark-choice-in-Senate-election


Burlington Hawk Eye
Braley Holds Roundtable on Social Security and Medicare
July 2, 2014
The Waterloo Democrat held a roundtable discussion with local seniors to discuss the importance of the programs to their retirement security. He also talked about the importance of honoring the promise of Social Security and Medicare to current and future retirees.

"When people think about the economy, retirement security is on a lot of peoples minds," Braley told a group of about 15 people Tuesday. "All you have to do is look at the numbers in Des Moines County. Almost 10,000 people in Des Moines County get Social Security benefits of some kind."

Full article: http://www.thehawkeye.com/story/Braley-070214


Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
Braley Holds Roundtable on Social Security
June 27, 2014
The Waterloo Democrat didn't give the usual talking points on those issues sensitive to aging Iowans. Instead, he sought greater understanding of the issues and, barring that, a renaming of those political buzzwords.

"One of the things people are always raising objections to is calling these programs entitlements because it creates this false perception that you're getting something you don't deserve, and maybe we should just adopt the language of the investment community," Braley said.

Full article: http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/braley-holds-roundtable-on-social-security/article_bbaf22ee-8dea-5527-89aa-3d2a45491250.html

SEE PEOPLE'S ABILITIES, NOT THEIR DISABILITIES

Journey of Hope believes in the abilities of all people.

 

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Journey of Hope will join the Davenport Parks & Rec and Davenport citizens for dinner and a Friendship Visit after 60 miles of cycling. Journey of Hope will cycle an average of 75 miles a day for people with disabilities. The team will enhance the lives of countless individuals with disabilities through grant funding and community events.

 

What:  Journey of Hope, organized by Push America, is a cycling trek that raises funds and awareness on behalf of people with disabilities. Every cyclist commits to raising at least $5,500 on behalf of people with disabilities. Combine their individual efforts with corporate sponsorships and the Journey of Hope 2014 team will raise more than $500,000 for people with disabilities.

When: Wednesday, July 9, 5:00 p.m.

Where: Davenport Parks & Recreation

700 W River Dr

Davenport, IA 52802

Who: Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity members from across the country.